Vehicle seat assemblies

ABSTRACT

A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/958,081, entitled “Vehicle Seat Assemblies,” filed Apr. 20, 2018,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to seatassemblies within interior cabins of vehicles, such as commercialaircraft, and, more particularly, to seat assemblies that provide anincreased amount of knee space to passengers.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Commercial aircraft typically include an interior cabin that may bedivided into numerous sections. A cockpit is generally separated from apassenger cabin, which may include a first class section, a businessclass section, and a coach section. The passenger cabin may also includeone or more work areas for flight personnel, such as galleys, which mayinclude food and beverage storage structures. One or more aisles passthrough the passenger cabin and connect each of the passenger sectionsto one or more paths and/or one or more doors of the aircraft. Passengerseats are positioned within the interior cabin.

Space within an interior cabin of a commercial aircraft is extremelyvaluable. In particular, an airline operator may increase revenues byproviding additional seats within the interior cabin. Additional seatswithin the interior cabin also improve various airplane metrics, such asfuel burn per seat-mile, cash airplane related operating costs (CAROC)per seat-mile, airplane related operating costs (AROC) per seat-mile,and carbon dioxide emissions per seat-mile.

In order to increase a number of seats within economy class inparticular, some providers have reduced seat pitch, which is alongitudinal distance or spacing between longitudinally adjacent seats.However, by reducing seat pitch, leg space is also reduced. A reducedseat pitch typically leads to reduced knee room for passengers. Inparticular, knees of taller or larger passengers may abut against orimpinge a back (and/or an associated component, such as a seat pocket ortray) of an immediately forward seat.

A known slimline seat attempts to mitigate cramped knee space by havinga thinner seatback structure and cushion. However, a taller or largerpassenger may still have insufficient leg room, especially if the seatpitch is 29 inches or less.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A need exists for a seat assembly within an interior cabin of a vehiclethat is configured to provide increased knee space for passengers.Further, a need exists for a vehicle (such as an aircraft) having aninterior cabin that includes a relatively short seat pitch between rowsof seats (such as a 29 inch seat pitch or less) and seat assemblies thatare able to comfortably accommodate taller and larger passengers so thatthe seated passengers are not susceptible to contacting an immediatelyforward seat with their knees.

With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a seat assembly that configured to be positioned within aninterior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat supportstructure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within theinterior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes aseat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests arepivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back ispivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to the pivotalcoupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure.

The seat support structure may include front legs at the front end andrear legs at the rear end. The seat base may be supported by the frontlegs and the rear legs. In at least one embodiment, a distance betweenthe front legs and the rear legs is less than that of a standard seatsupport structure.

In at least one embodiment, the seat support structure includeslaterally spaced-apart extension beams that upwardly extend above theseat base. The arm rests are pivotally coupled to upper ends of theextension beams. The seat back may be pivotally coupled to the extensionbeams proximate to the pivotal coupling of the arm rests. In at leastone embodiment, the seat back and the arm rests are coaxially coupled tothe seat support structure.

The seat back includes a lower portion and an upper portion. A thicknessof the seat back decreases from the upper portion towards the lowerportion.

In at least one embodiment, the seat back includes a back side having amiddle section that extends from a position proximate to the upperportion towards the lower portion. Lower side portions are inwardlyrecessed towards a front side of the seat back. The lower side portionsare on opposite sides of a central rib. The lower side portions includeinwardly curved surfaces that are shaped and contoured to provideincreased knee room on opposite sides of the central rib. In at leastone embodiment, the lower side portions of the seat back on oppositesides of a middle section of the seat back are inwardly recessed towardsa front side of the seat back, such that the seat back thickness isreduced at the lower side portions to provide increased knee room onopposite sides of the middle section of the seat back.

The seat assembly may include a pocket secured to the central rib. Thepocket may be above the lower side portions and does not extend into thelower side portions. Optionally, the pocket may be between the lowerside portions and does not extend into the lower side portions.

In at least one embodiment, the front end is configured to be separatedfrom another rear end of an immediately forward seat assembly by a pitchof 30 inches or less.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method ofproviding a seat assembly that is configured to be positioned within aninterior cabin of a vehicle. The method includes providing a seatsupport structure that is configured to connect to a floor structurewithin the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structureincludes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Themethod also includes pivotally coupling arm rests to the seat supportstructure, and pivotally coupling a seat back to the seat supportstructure proximate to the arm rests.

The method may include moving rear legs closer to front legs of a seatsupport structure such that a distance between the front legs and therear legs is less than that of a standard seat support structure.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes coaxially coupling theseat back and the arm rests to the seat support structure.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes decreasing a thicknessof the seat back from an upper portion towards a lower portion, and/orinwardly recessing lower side portions of a back side of the seat backtowards a front side of the seat back.

The pivotally coupling the seat back operation may include pivotallycoupling the seat back to the seat support structure away from the lowerside portions.

The method may include securing a pocket to a central rib between thelower side portions.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assemblyconfigured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. Theseat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured toconnect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle.The seat support structure includes a seat base, a front end oppositefrom a rear end, and a rear cross beam. A seat back coupling upwardlyand rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam,such that the seat back coupling is not disposed in locations laterallyspaced from the middle portion. A seat back includes a narrowed mountingportion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling withoutinterfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

The seat support structure may include front legs at the front end andrear legs at the rear end. The seat base may be supported by the frontlegs and the rear legs. A distance between the front legs and the rearlegs is less than that of a standard seat support structure.

In at least one embodiment, the narrowed mounting portion of the seatback that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling is disposed in amiddle section of the seat back and not in lower side portions of theseat back that are laterally spaced from the middle section. The lowerside portions of the seat back on opposite sides of the middle sectionare inwardly recessed towards a front side of the seat back such thatthe seat back thickness is reduced at the lower side portions that areinwardly recessed to provide increased knee room on opposite sides ofthe middle section of the seat back.

The seat back includes a lower portion and an upper portion. A thicknessof the seat back may decrease from the upper portion towards the lowerportion.

The back side of the seat back may include a middle section that extendsfrom a position proximate to the upper portion towards the lowerportion. Lower side portions are inwardly recessed towards a front sideof the seat back. The lower side portions are on opposite sides of acentral rib. The lower side portions include inwardly curved surfacesthat are shaped and contoured to provide increased knee room on oppositesides of the central rib. The seat back pivotally couples to the seatsupport structure away from the lower side portions.

A pocket may be secured to the central rib. The pocket may be above thelower side portions and does not extend into the lower side portions.The pocket may be between the lower side portions and does not extendinto the lower side portions.

In at least one embodiment, the front end is configured to be separatedfrom another rear end of an immediately forward seat assembly by a pitchof 30 inches or less.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method ofproviding a seat assembly that is configured to be positioned within aninterior cabin of a vehicle. The method includes providing a seatsupport structure that is configured to connect to a floor structurewithin the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structureincludes a seat base, a front end opposite from a rear end, and a rearcross beam. The method also includes providing a seat back coupling thatupwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear crossbeam, and pivotally coupling a narrowed mounting portion of a seat backto the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed ina back side of the seat back.

The method may also include moving rear legs closer to front legs of aseat support structure such that a distance between the front legs andthe rear legs is less than that of a standard seat support structure.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes decreasing a thicknessof the seat back from an upper portion towards a lower portion, and/orinwardly recessing lower side portions of a back side of the seat backtowards a front side of the seat back.

The pivotally coupling operation may include pivotally coupling thenarrowed mounting portion to the seat back coupling away from the lowerside portions.

The method may include securing a pocket to a central rib between thelower side portions.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back in non-central sections of the lower portionmay be reduced compared to the thickness in the central section. Thethickness of the seat back in non-central sections of the lower portionmay be reduced to less than one inch.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back in non-central sections of the lower portionmay be reduced compared to the thickness in the central section. Thethickness of the seat back in non-central sections of the lower portionmay be reduced to less than one-half inch.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back in non-central sections of the lower portionmay be reduced compared to the thickness in non-central sections of theupper portion. The thickness of the seat back in a central section ofthe lower portion may be increased compared to the thickness in acentral section of the upper portion. The increased thickness in thecentral section of the lower portion is associated with at least one ofan increased cushion thickness for passenger lower back support, anincreased cushion thickness for passenger lumbar support, and athickness associated with a seat back pocket installation behind thecentral section of the lower portion.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aircraftincluding seat assemblies, as described herein. Each seat assembly onthe aircraft is positioned at a pitch spacing of approximately 29 inchesrelative to an immediately forward seat assembly. The thickness of theseat back in non-central parts of a lower portion is reduced innon-central sections of the lower portion of the seat back to providesufficient accommodation for persons in the 99.5 percentile thigh lengthor persons having a thigh length up to 28.2 inches, without kneeimpingement into the seat back of an immediately forward seat assemblyin the non-central sections of the lower portion of the seat back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a vehicle, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of an interior cabin of an aircraft,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top plan view of an interior cabin of an aircraft,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of a seat assembly, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective rear view of a seat assembly, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method of providing a seatassembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective rear view of a seat assembly, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a passenger seated behind aseat assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method of providing a seatassembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a passenger in a seat of a rowimmediately behind a seat in another row, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of immediately adjacent seatsthrough line 10-10 of FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of immediately adjacent seatsthrough line 11-11 of FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of immediately adjacent seatsthrough line 12-12 of FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a lateral view of a passenger in a seat immediatelybehind a seat, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recitedin the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should beunderstood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements orsteps. Further, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional elements not having that property.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assemblyfor an interior cabin of aircraft. The seat assembly is configured suchthat when multiple seat assemblies are positioned within the interiorcabin with a short seat pitch (for example, 29 inches or less) betweenadjacent rows, even passengers that are at the 99th percentile of humanheight are able to comfortably sit therein without their knees abuttinginto an immediately-forward seat. As such, the seat assembly increasespassenger comfort, and increases seat count within an interior cabin,which thereby increases revenue and profits for airline operators.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide seat assembly fora vehicle that includes a seat support structure that is configured toconnect to a floor structure in an interior cabin of the vehicle. Theseat assembly may also include a seat back with a back side having amiddle section with a narrowed mounting portion. First and second sideportions of the back side of the seat back have a reduced thickness atlocations laterally spaced from the middle section of the seat back. Aseat back coupling may be connected to the narrowed mounting portion ofthe seat back, and to a middle section of the seat support structuresuch that the seat back coupling is not positioned in locationslaterally spaced from the middle section. The narrowed mounting portionin the middle section and the reduced thickness of the side portions ofthe seat back at locations laterally spaced from the middle section ofthe seat back provide greater space to accommodate the knees of apassenger seated behind the seat back. In at least one embodiment, theseat back coupling pivotally connects the narrowed mounting portion ofthe seat back to a middle section of the seat support structure, suchthat the seat back is configured to pivotally recline without impingingon locations laterally spaced from the central section of the seat back.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a vehicle, such as anaircraft 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theaircraft 10 includes a propulsion system 12 that may include twoturbofan engines 14, for example. Optionally, the propulsion system 12may include more engines 14 than shown. The engines 14 are carried bywings 16 of the aircraft 10. In other embodiments, the engines 14 may becarried by a fuselage 18 and/or an empennage 20. The empennage 20 mayalso support horizontal stabilizers 22 and a vertical stabilizer 24.

The fuselage 18 of the aircraft 10 defines an interior cabin, which mayinclude a cockpit, one or more work sections (for example, galleys,personnel carry-on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passengersections (for example, first class, business class, and coach sections),and an aft section.

Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles,buses, locomotives and train cars, watercraft, spacecraft, and the like.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of an interior cabin 30 of anaircraft, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theinterior cabin 30 may be within a fuselage 32 of the aircraft. Forexample, one or more fuselage wall members may define the interior cabin30. The interior cabin 30 includes multiple sections, including a frontsection 33, a first class section 34, a business class section 36, afront galley station 38, an expanded economy or coach section 40, astandard economy or coach section 42, and an aft section 44, which mayinclude multiple lavatories and galley stations. It is to be understoodthat the interior cabin 30 may include more or less sections than shown.For example, the interior cabin 30 may not include a first classsection, and may include more or less galley stations than shown. Eachof the sections may be separated by a cabin transition area 46, whichmay include class divider assemblies between aisles 48.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the interior cabin 30 includes two aisles 50 and 52that lead to the aft section 44. Optionally, the interior cabin 30 mayhave less or more aisles than shown. For example, the interior cabin 30may include a single aisle that extends through the center of theinterior cabin 30 that leads to the aft section 44.

Passenger seat assemblies 54 are secured within the interior cabin 30.The seat assemblies 54 are arranged in rows 56. For example, a row 56 ofseat assemblies 54 may include a first set of two seat assemblies 54separated from a middle set of four seat assemblies 54 by the aisle 50,and a second set of two seat assemblies 54 separated from the middle setof four seat assemblies 54 by the aisle 52. Each row 56 may include moreor less seat assemblies 54 than shown. For example, a row 56 may includea first set of two seat assemblies 54 separated from a second set of twoseat assemblies 54 by an aisle.

Adjacent rows 56 of seat assemblies 54 are separated from one another bya pitch (for example, a longitudinal spacing therebetween). As anexample, the row 56 a is separated from the row 56 b by a pitch, whichmay be measured between a rear end of seat support structures of theseat assemblies 54 within the row 56 a and corresponding rear end ofseat support structures of the seat assemblies 54 within the row 56 b.The pitch between the rows 56 a and 56 b may be 30 inches or less. In atleast one embodiment, the pitch between the rows 56 a and 56 b is 29inches. In at least one other embodiment, the pitch between the rows 56a and 56 b is 28 inches. Optionally, the pitch between the rows 56 a and56 b may exceed 30 inches. As described herein, the seat assemblies 54are configured to provide ample knee room for taller passengers (such aspassengers having thigh length of 28.2 inches or greater, which is inthe 99.5 percentile of human thigh length) seated within the seatassemblies 54 separated from immediately forward seat assemblies 54 at areduced pitch, such as 29 inches.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top plan view of an interior cabin 80 of anaircraft, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theinterior cabin 80 may be within a fuselage 81 of the aircraft. Forexample, one or more fuselage wall members may define the interior cabin80. The interior cabin 80 includes multiple sections, including a maincabin 82 having seat assemblies 83, and an aft section 85 behind themain cabin 82. It is to be understood that the interior cabin 80 mayinclude more or less sections than shown.

The interior cabin 80 may include a single aisle 84 that leads to theaft section 85. The single aisle 84 may extend through the center of theinterior cabin 80 that leads to the aft section 85. For example, thesingle aisle 84 may be coaxially aligned with a central longitudinalplane 86 of the interior cabin 80.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of a seat assembly 100,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The seat assembly100 is an example of a seat assembly 54 shown in FIG. 2A or a seatassembly 83 shown in FIG. 2B.

The seat assembly 100 includes a seat support structure 102 that isconfigured to connect to a floor structure within an interior cabin,such as the interior cabin 30 shown in FIG. 2A or the interior cabin 80shown in FIG. 2B. The seat support structure 102 includes a front end104 opposite from a rear end 106. The front end 104 may be separatedfrom a rear end 106 of an immediately forward seat assembly 100 by apitch, as described above.

The seat support structure 102 may provide a base that includes frontlegs 108 at the front end 104 and rear legs 110 at the rear end 106. Thelegs 108 and 110 may be secured to tracks within an interior cabin of avehicle. The legs 108 and 110 may include fittings, fasteners, or thelike that are configured to securely connect the legs 108 and 110 to thetracks. The seat support structure 102 also includes a seat base 112(such as a pan, cushion, and/or the like) supported by the front legs108 and the rear legs 110.

The seat support structure 102 also includes laterally spaced-apartextension beams 114 that upwardly extend above the seat base 112. Armrests 116 are pivotally coupled to upper ends 118 of the extension beams114. The arm rests 116 are configured to pivot between vertical andhorizontal positions about the pivot couplings with the extension beams114.

A seat back or back rest 120 is pivotally coupled to the seat supportstructure 102. In at least one embodiment, the seat back 120 ispivotally coupled to the extension beams 114 proximate to for example,pivotally coupled to the same structure, at the same location, within1-2 inches from one another, and/or the like) the arm rests 116. Forexample, the seat back 120 and the arm rests 116 may be coaxiallycoupled to the extension beams 114 (and/or another portion of the seatsupport structure 102). As shown, the pivot axis 122 for the arm rests116 in relation to the extension beams 114 may be coaxial with that ofthe seat back 120 in relation to the extension beams 114. As shown, alower portion 124 of the seat back 120 is pivotally coupled to the seatsupport structure 102 between opposed extension beams 114.

The seat back 120 also includes an upper portion 126 distally locatedfrom the lower portion 124. A back cushion 128 may forwardly extend fromthe seat back 120 between the upper portion 126 and the lower portion124.

The upper portion 126 includes a thickness 130. The thickness of theseat back 120 tapers down between the upper portion 126 and the lowerportion 124. For example, a mid-portion thickness 132 between the upperportion 126 and the lower portion 124 is less than the thickness 130 ofthe upper portion 126. A lower portion thickness 134 of the seat back120 proximate to the arm rests 116 is less than the mid-portionthickness 132. As such, the thickness of the seat back 120 decreasesfrom the upper portion 126 towards the lower portion 124. As shown, theseat back 120 has an overall reduced thickness as compared to a standardseat back 136, which is shown in dashed lines.

A back side 138 of the seat back 120 includes a middle section 140 thatextends from a position proximate to the upper portion 126 towards thelower portion 124. Lower side portions 142 are inwardly recessed towardsa front side 144 of the seat back 120. The lower side portions 142 areon opposite sides of a central rib 146. The lower side portions 142include inwardly curved surfaces 148 that are shaped and contoured toprovide increased knee room on opposite sides of the central rib 146.

As described, the seat back 120 pivotally couples to the seat supportstructure 102 at laterally spaced apart points, such as between theextension beams 114. As such, the pivot coupling of the seat back 120 tothe seat support structure 102 does not interfere or extend into thelower side portions 142. In this manner, the seat back 120 couples tothe seat support structure 102 without reducing an amount of knee roomafforded by the lower side portions 142. The seat back 120 couples tothe seat support structure 102 without decreasing knee room. The reducedthickness of the seat back 120 (which decreases from the top portion 126to the lower portion 124) and the inwardly-recessed lower side portions142 on either side of the central rib 146 provide greater space toaccommodate the knees of passengers seated behind the seat back 120.

The reduced thickness of the seat back 120 and the recessed lower sideportions 142 provide greater space to accommodate left and right kneesof a passenger seated immediately behind the seat back 120, such asbehind left and right buttocks of another seated passenger in front ofthe passenger. The seat back 120 provides physical separation betweenthe knees of the passenger and the buttocks of the other seatedpassenger.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back 120 in non-central sections of the lowerportion 134 may be reduced compared to the thickness in the centralsection. The thickness of the seat back 120 in non-central sections ofthe lower portion 134 may be reduced to less than one inch.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back 120 in non-central sections of the lowerportion 134 may be reduced compared to the thickness in the centralsection. The thickness of the seat back 120 in non-central sections ofthe lower portion 134 may be reduced to less than one-half inch.

With respect to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, thethickness of the seat back 120 in non-central sections of the lowerportion 134 may be reduced compared to the thickness in non-centralsections of the upper portion 126. The thickness of the seat back 120 ina central section of the lower portion 134 may be increased compared tothe thickness in a central section of the upper portion 126. Theincreased thickness in the central section of the lower portion 134 isassociated with at least one of an increased cushion thickness forpassenger lower back support, an increased cushion thickness forpassenger lumbar support, and a thickness associated with a seat backpocket installation behind the central section of the lower portion.

In at least one embodiment, the seat back 120 may also include a pocket147 secured to the central rib 146. The pocket 147 may be used to storemagazines, for example. The pocket 147 is above the lower side portions142 and does not interfere therewith. The pocket 147 may not laterallyextend past side portions of the central rib 146. As such, the pocket147 is a reduced size retainer that does not interfere with theadditional leg room created by the recessed lower side portions 142, forexample. Optionally, the pocket 147 may be positioned lower on thecentral rib 146, such as between the lower side portions 142.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective rear view of the seat assembly 100,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodimentshown in FIG. 4 is the same as that described with respect to FIG. 3,except that the rear legs 110 of the seat support structure 102 may becloser to the front legs 108. That is, the distance 150 between thefront legs 108 and the rear legs 110 is less than that of a standardseat support structure 152 (shown in dashed lines), thereby providingincreased leg room to a passenger seated behind the seat assembly 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method of providing a seatassembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the method includes providing, at 200, the seatsupport structure 102 that is configured to connect to a floor structurewithin an interior cabin. At 202, the method includes pivotally couplingthe seat back 120 to the seat support structure 102 proximate to pivotalcouplings of the arm rests 116 in relation to the seat support structure102. At 204, the method includes reducing a thickness of the seat back120 from the upper portion 126 to the lower portion 124. At 206, themethod includes inwardly recessing the lower side portions of the backside 138 of the seat back 120 to provide increased knee room.Optionally, at 208, the method may include moving the rear legs 110 ofthe seat support structure 102 close to the front legs 108, in order toprovide increased leg room as compared to a standard seat supportstructure. Alternatively, the method does not include 208.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective rear view of a seat assembly 100,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the seat back 120 may not be pivotally coupled to the seatsupport structure 102 proximate to the arm rests 116. The seat back 120may include the reduced thickness, as described above. Further, the seatback 120 may include the inwardly recessed lower side portions 142, asdescribed above.

The seat support structure 102 may include a rear cross beam 300 thatspans between upper ends 302 of the rear legs 110. A seat back coupling304 upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion 305 of therear cross beam 300 underneath the central rib 146. The seat backcoupling 304 is not underneath either of the recessed lower sideportions 142.

The seat back coupling 304 includes an upper end 306 that pivotallycouples (such as through a hinge, rod, and/or the like) to a narrowedmounting portion 308 of a lower end 310 of the central rib 146. Thenarrowed mounting portion 308 is between the recessed lower sideportions 142. That is, the narrowed mounting portion 308 does not extendinto the recessed lower side portions 142. Neither the narrowed mountingportion 308, nor the seat back coupling 304 is positioned in locationslaterally spaced from the central rib 146 (such as within the recessedlower side portions 142).

As shown, the seat back 120 does not pivotally couple at extendedlateral positions of the seat support structure 102. Instead, the seatback coupling 304 and the narrowed mounting portion 308 cooperate topivotally couple the seat back 120 to the seat support structure 102 ata narrowed area between the lower side portions 142. The narrowedmounting portion 308 upwardly and rearwardly extending from the middleportion 305 of the rear cross beam 300, the recessed lower side portions142, and the reduced thickness of the seat back 120 provide increasedspace to accommodate the knees of a passenger seated behind the seatback 120.

In at least one embodiment, the seat back 120 may also includeinwardly-moved rear legs 110, such as described with respect to FIG. 4.Further, the seat back 120 may also include the pocket 147 on thecentral rib 146, as described above with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a passenger 400 seated behindthe seat assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown, knees 402 of the passenger 400 do not abut intothe rear portions of the seat assembly 100. Instead, the knees 402 areafforded extra space by the recessed lower side portions 142, and thelack of a pivotal coupling therein. The seat back coupling 304 pivotallycouples the seat back 120 to the seat support structure 102 via thenarrowed mounting portion 308 such that the seat back 120 is configuredto pivotally recline without impinging on locations laterally spacedfrom the central rib 146, such as the recessed lower side portions 142.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method of providing a seatassembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the method includes providing, at 400, the seatback coupling 304 that upwardly and rearwardly extends from the middleportion 305 of the rear cross beam 300 underneath the central rib 146,such that the seat back coupling 304 is not underneath either of therecessed lower side portions 142. The method also include pivotallycoupling, at 402, the upper end 306 of the seat back coupling 304 to thenarrowed mounting portion 308 of the lower end 310 of the central rib146.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, certain embodiments of the present disclosureprovide systems and methods for increasing knee room for passengersseated in seat assemblies separated from immediately forward seatassemblies by a reduced pitch (such as 30 inches or less). The systemsand methods include providing increased knee room by forming therecessed lower side portions 142 in the seat assemblies 100, andpivotally coupling the seat backs 120 to the seat support structures 102away from the recessed lower side portions 142, such as between therecessed lower side portions 142, or proximate to the arm rests 116. Inat least one embodiment, the aircraft 10 includes an internal cabin(such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) in which the seat assemblies 100provide increased leg and knee room for passengers at a reduced pitchbetween longitudinally adjacent seat assemblies 100.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a passenger 500 in a seat of a 100 row56 b immediately behind a seat 100 in another row 56 a, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates across-sectional view of immediately adjacent seats 100 through line10-10 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view ofimmediately adjacent seats 100 through line 11-11 of FIG. 9. FIG. 12illustrates a cross-sectional view of immediately adjacent seats 100through line 12-12 of FIG. 9. FIG. 13 illustrates a lateral view of apassenger 500 in a seat 100 immediately behind a seat 100. It is to beunderstood that the objects within FIGS. 9-13 are simplified andtransparent to show various aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure as described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the reduced thickness of the seat back 120 andthe recessed lower side portions 142 provide greater space toaccommodate left and right knees of the passenger 500 seated immediatelybehind the seat back 120, such as behind left and right buttocks ofanother seated passenger in front of the passenger. The seat back 120provides physical separation between the knees of the passenger and thebuttocks of the other seated passenger.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aircraft 10including seat assemblies 100, as described herein. Each seat assembly100 on the aircraft 10 is positioned at a pitch spacing of approximately29 inches relative to an immediately forward seat assembly 100. Thethickness of the seat back 120 in non-central parts of a lower portion134 is reduced in non-central sections of the lower portion 134 of theseat back 120 to provide sufficient accommodation for persons in the99.5 percentile thigh length or persons having a thigh length up to 28.2inches, without knee impingement into the seat back 120 of animmediately forward seat assembly 100 in the non-central sections of thelower portion 134 of the seat back 120.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide seat assemblies andmethods of forming seat assemblies that allow for increased leg and kneeroom at reduced pitch between seat assemblies. As such, embodiments ofthe present disclosure provide increased passenger comfort, whileallowing for increased airline operator revenue and profitability.Further, embodiments of the present disclosure allow for reduced fuelburn per seat-mile, reduced CAROC per seat-mile, reduced AROC perseat-mile, and reduced carbon dioxide emission per seat-mile.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly within aninterior cabin of a vehicle that is configured to provide increased kneespace for passengers. Further, embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a vehicle (such as an aircraft) having a relatively short seatpitch between rows of seats (such as a 29 inch seat pitch or less) andseat assemblies having a seat back with a middle portion and lower sideportions on opposite sides of and laterally spaced from the middlesection that are inwardly recessed towards a front side of the seatback, such that the seat back thickness is reduced at the lower sideportions to provide increased knee room. The vehicle having the shortseat pitch between rows of seats (such as a 29 inch seat pitch or less)includes seat assemblies having seat backs with reduced thickness onopposite sides of the middle section that are able to comfortablyaccommodate taller and larger passengers so that the passengers are notsusceptible to contacting an immediately forward seat with their knees.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower,mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used todescribe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood thatsuch terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in thedrawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwisechanged, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa,horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed,constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task oroperation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an objectthat is merely capable of being modified to perform the task oroperation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as usedherein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. Whilethe dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended todefine the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, theembodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Manyother embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments ofthe disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,”and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended toimpose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitationsof the following claims are not written in means-plus-function formatand are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f),unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “meansfor” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also toenable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodimentsof the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems andperforming any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the variousembodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may includeother examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such otherexamples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theexamples have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat assembly configured to be positionedwithin an interior cabin of a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: aseat support structure that is configured to connect to a floorstructure within the interior cabin of the vehicle, wherein the seatsupport structure includes a seat base, a front end opposite from a rearend, and a rear cross beam; a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardlyextending from a middle portion of the rear cross beam, such that theseat back coupling is not disposed in locations laterally spaced fromthe middle portion; and a seat back including a narrowed mountingportion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling withoutinterfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back. 2.The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat support structurecomprises front legs at the front end and rear legs at the rear end. 3.The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the narrowed mounting portion ofthe seat back that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling isdisposed in a middle section of the seat back and not in lower sideportions of the seat back that are laterally spaced from the middlesection.
 4. The seat assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower sideportions of the seat back on opposite sides of the middle section areinwardly recessed towards a front side of the seat back such that theseat back thickness is reduced at the lower side portions that areinwardly recessed to provide increased knee room on opposite sides ofthe middle section of the seat back.
 5. The seat assembly of claim 2,wherein a distance between the front legs and the rear legs is less thanthat of a standard seat support structure.
 6. The seat assembly of claim1, wherein the seat back comprises a lower portion and an upper portion,wherein a thickness of the seat back decreases from the upper portiontowards the lower portion.
 7. The seat assembly of claim 5, wherein theback side of the seat back includes a middle section that extends from aposition proximate to the upper portion towards the lower portion. 8.The seat assembly of claim 7, wherein lower side portions are inwardlyrecessed towards a front side of the seat back, and wherein the lowerside portions are on opposite sides of a central rib.
 9. The seatassembly of claim 8, wherein the lower side portions include inwardlycurved surfaces that are shaped and contoured to provide increased kneeroom on opposite sides of the central rib.
 10. The seat assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the seat back pivotally couples to the seat supportstructure away from the lower side portions.
 11. The seat assembly ofclaim 8, further comprising a pocket secured to the central rib.
 12. Theseat assembly of claim 11, wherein the pocket is above the lower sideportions and does not extend into the lower side portions.
 13. The seatassembly of claim 11, wherein the pocket is between the lower sideportions and does not extend into the lower side portions.
 14. The seatassembly of claim 1, wherein the front end is configured to be separatedfrom another rear end of an immediately forward seat assembly by a pitchof 30 inches or less.
 15. A method of providing a seat assembly that isconfigured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle, themethod comprising: providing a seat support structure that is configuredto connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of thevehicle, wherein the seat support structure includes a seat base, afront end opposite from a rear end, and a rear cross beam; providing aseat back coupling that upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middleportion of the rear cross beam; and pivotally coupling a narrowedmounting portion of a seat back to the seat back coupling withoutinterfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising moving rear legs closer tofront legs of a seat support structure such that a distance between thefront legs and the rear legs is less than that of a standard seatsupport structure.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprisingdecreasing a thickness of the seat back from an upper portion towards alower portion.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising inwardlyrecessing lower side portions of a back side of the seat back towards afront side of the seat back.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thepivotally coupling comprises pivotally coupling the narrowed mountingportion to the seat back coupling away from the lower side portions. 20.The method of claim 18, further comprising securing a pocket to acentral rib between the lower side portions.